Plainview council approves grant application, YMCA contracts, recycling master plan and sewer repair

The Plainview City Council on May 13 approved a package of agreements and a contract, including an interlocal application for a Texas Parks and Wildlife grant to replace the Kidsville playground, a contract for YMCA pool operations, a master plan for the recycling center, a YMCA license for the baseball and softball complexes, and a sewer pipe relining project intended to avoid a later, costlier replacement.

The actions matter because they affect city facilities and services used by families, volunteers and utility customers: the playground replacement could draw state funds of up to $750,000; the YMCA agreements set this summer’s pool operations and field use; Park Hill Engineering will produce a plan for future recycling-center equipment; and the sewer work addresses a deteriorating asbestos-cement line in an older neighborhood.

Capital improvement manager Tim Crosswhite told the council the playground project, for Running Water Draw regional park, was identified in the city’s comprehensive and parks master plans and that the city has set aside funds over the past seven years. Crosswhite said the project would replace Kidsville, a wood play structure built in 1991, and that the city met recently with the state agency. "We had a really good reputation with them," Crosswhite told the council, referring to previous successful grant work with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He said the grant is a 50/50 match program with Texas Parks and Wildlife and that the department could contribute up to $750,000 toward the project. Council approved an interlocal agreement with the South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG) to help prepare and, if funded, administer the grant application; staff said if the city receives funding it will return to council later to request a contract with SPAG to administer the grant.

On pool operations, a staff presenter identified as Mr. Williams said the city will contract with the YMCA to hire lifeguards, manage day-to-day operations and handle maintenance during the summer swim season. "We're really tapping into the expertise of the YMCA to hire lifeguards and manage the pool," Williams said. The contract term runs May 15 through Sept. 15, 2025; staff recommended the city pay $30,000 to the YMCA. The agreement also includes a 50% cost-sharing arrangement capped at $25,000 and adopts a simplified single price structure for summer passes. Staff reported 19,329 pool visits last year and showed the YMCA’s net income and expenses for the prior season; the city's half of the reported net profit was $10,811.17.

The council also authorized a professional-services agreement with Park Hill Engineering for $86,000 to develop a master plan for the city recycling center. Staff said the study will identify needed equipment, improve ergonomics for volunteers and employees, and guide future purchases so the center does not have to be pieced together over time. The recycling center's current hours and volunteer operations were described during the presentation.

A license agreement with the YMCA covering the baseball and softball complexes was approved. The agreement allows YMCA use of the concession stand, spells out maintenance responsibilities for both parties, raises the annual license fee from $1,500 to $2,500 and includes an option for a one-year renewal.

On infrastructure, the council awarded a bid for a sewer pipe relining project on Fourth Street between Vernon and Exenia. Staff described the existing line as asbestos-cement (AC) pipe that is degrading when exposed to hydrogen sulfide produced by sewage decomposition; relining will install a cured-in-place liner rather than a full excavate-and-replace. The city received three bids; the lowest, from Amarillo Utility Construction, was $169,000. Staff said the work will be paid from the city’s emergency pool of water and wastewater funds to address the deteriorating line before it collapses and becomes more expensive to repair.

All recorded motions were approved unanimously. There were no public commenters who spoke on these items during the meeting; council members asked routine clarifying questions about timing, costs and contractor responsibilities. The meeting was called to order at 6:43 p.m. and adjourned at 7:03 p.m.